Barnstable softball on the upswing

After two frustrating losses, marred by sloppy defense, the Barnstable softball team came up with a solid performance in a 2-1 win over Dennis-Yarmouth Friday before being blanked by powerful Sandwich.

By George Kostinas

Wicked Local

By George Kostinas

Posted Apr. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 14, 2013 at 2:12 PM

By George Kostinas

Posted Apr. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 14, 2013 at 2:12 PM

BARNSTABLE

» Social News

After two frustrating losses, marred by sloppy defense, the Barnstable softball team came up with a solid performance in a 2-1 win over Dennis-Yarmouth Friday before being blanked by powerful Sandwich.

“We were struggling on defense; it was a rough two games [losses of 14-1 to Notre Dame of Hingham and 7-3 to Plymouth North]. We made five errors against Notre Dame and 11 against Plymouth North,” said coach Ted Guazzaloca.

Barnstable’s ace pitcher, Alicia Chagaris struggled in that first loss as Notre Dame pounded out three home runs but still gave up only four earned runs.

She came back against Plymouth North and pitched a solid game despite the loss.

“We gave them all their runs. All their runs were unearned,” said Guazzaloca. “And we outhit them as well. Plymouth North had two hits; we had 10.”

But against D-Y, the Red Raiders played solid defense to back up an amazing pitching effort by Chagaris, who struck out 15 and walked only four. More important, she took the pressure off the defense.

“We only had to make six plays behind her defensively,” said Guazzaloca.

And catcher Marissa Peri helped stifle two D-Y rallies by throwing out runners trying to steal.

“She had the gun going; we were clicking,” said Guazzaloca, who hopes that trend will continue with tough games against Nauset and archrival Falmouth.

“We’re progressing. The focus is on being positive. We’re all aware of what happened last year,” Guazzaloca said. After starting 6-0 last season, the Red Raiders won only one more to finish 7-11.

“I know we have some skilled players. We have some speed and some hitters, some pure hitters and others who know how to get on base. And when they get on base they are aggressive. And the D-Y game brought that to us,” said Guazzaloca.

Barnstable returns only two starters, Chagaris and Peri, from last year, but they are good ones.

Chagaris made the varsity two years ago as an eighth-grader, but she didn’t play much. Last year, she emerged as the team’s top pitcher and has developed into a dominating presence on the mound.

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“She is a student of the game. She is extremely knowledgeable. She understands the strike zone and pitch selection,” said Guazzaloca. “And nothing shakes her. Nothing gets her down. Those first two games it would have been easy for her to get upset.”

Because of that toughness and competitiveness, Chagaris, just a sophomore, was chosen as one of the team’s three co-captains.

Peri, a senior, is another captain. She’s a hard worker who loves to compete.

“She is a natural leader, and she leads by example,” said Guazzaloca. “She is one of those scrappers.”

Although she was the catcher last year, she did not bat much as a designated hitter often took her place in the batting order.

“It’s her first experience at getting a lot of at-bats, and she’s doing very well. She’s battling every pitch, and she likes to win the war,” Guazzaloca said. Peri is batting .333 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in three games.

The third captain is senior pitcher Molly Kelly, who relieves Chagaris at times.

“She has already made contributions,” said Guazzaloca.

Sophomore Jaime Cory and senior Carly White are two of Barnstable’s pure hitters. Last year White was strictly the designated hitter, but this year is playing second base, so she is struggling but is expected to pick it up.

Cory plays left field and has gotten off to a fast start at the plate. She drove in the Red Raiders’ only run against Notre Dame and drove in two against Plymouth North.

Centerfielder Liz Gorrill is batting .375 and is quick on the base paths having already four stolen bases.

Hannah Andres has worked hard to become a good hitter and it is paying off as she has gone 5-for-9 for a .556 batting average. She has moved from the outfield to first base.

Shannon Lundy will be the shortstop and is a gritty, diving down in the dirt type of player and sophomore Emma Miles will be at third with Jackie Beynor in right field.